Rockets report: Patterson takes advice 140 characters or less at a time

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Rarely has the coaching on Twitter, abundant as it is, made a greater impact.

Rockets coaches had spoken often to Patrick Patterson about hitting the boards, but they were not alone. They had reinforcements in the form of all the coaches that fill Twitter with comments that inspired Patterson to 13 rebounds Friday, matching his career high.

“Talking to the coaches about what I need to do, the coaching staff has made it clear — even people on Twitter have made it clear — about my lack of rebounding,” Patterson said. “People on Twitter, just fans, Rockets fans, have made it clear they’ve noticed it. It’s the truth. Everyone’s made my lack of rebounding clear. Tonight’s a good start. Hopefully, I can carry it over to tomorrow.”

Patterson’s season high had been 10 rebounds. He easily surpassed that and argued that he should have been credited with one rebound that was given to Omer Asik in the first half. He made eight of his 11 shots to score 18 points and did not have a turnover.

“He was great tonight,” coach Kevin McHale said. “Patrick was phenomenal and that’s kind of what we need out of him.”

Defense shows up for 4 quarters

The Hornets’ 82 points matched the fewest the Rockets have allowed in a game all season, with their defense holding New Orleans in check whenever they did not give the Hornets a running start with turnovers.

The Hornets scored nearly a quarter of their points off turnovers, but made just 38.8 percent of their shots and just 15 percent of their 3s.

“This game was probably our best defensive game all year for four quarters, really locking in,” Rockets guard James Harden said. “It’s a good feeling when you play well when you haven’t been playing well on both ends of the floor.”

McHale not a fan of Pelicans

Asked about New Orleans’ new mascot chosen to replace Hornets next season, Rockets coach Kevin McHale offered an endorsement of sorts, along with a slogan.

“The Pelicans. Watch out or we’ll dump on you,” McHale said. “I don’t know. I shouldn’t even say that. The pelican is like a big bird that hangs out at the shore, isn’t it? I like Hawks and Eagles and stuff like that. The pelican is not a bird of prey, is it? ‘The Pelicans, watch out or we’ll dive after you.’ They’ll come up with something.”